Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 4) appealed to parents, schools/institutions and healthcare professionals for heightened vigilance against scarlet fever (SF) as its activity sharply increased last week and has reached a veryhigh level.

According to the CHP's surveillance data, the weekly number of SF cases increased from 48 in the week of November 19 to 94 in the last week (week of November 26). Regarding SF outbreaks in schools/institutions, as of December 3, eight outbreaks (five kindergartens/child care centres and three primary schools) affecting 22 pupils/children were recorded in November.

"While SF has occurred throughout the year locally, a seasonal pattern for SF in Hong Kong with higher activity was observed from May to June and from November to March in the past few years. The activity of SF has increased again since November this year. Based on the past epidemiological pattern, we expect that the SF activity will remain at a higher level in the coming few months.

Parents have to take extra care of their children in maintaining strict personal, hand and environmental hygiene," a spokesman for the CHP said.

A total of 1 947 cases were reported in the first 11 months of 2017, representing a marked increase from the figures for the same period in 2016 (1 244 cases) and 2015 (1 060 cases). The epidemiological features of the cases in 2017 were similar to those in previous years.

The 1 947 SF cases reported this year comprised 1 156 males and 791 females aged from 2 months to 43 years (median: 5 years), nearly all of whom (1 863, 95.7 per cent) were under 10 years. Most presented with mild illnesses.

Among them, 695 cases (35.7 per cent) required hospitalisation. While one severe case reported in March required admission to an intensive care unit, no deaths have been recorded so far.

"We will issue letters to doctors, hospitals and schools again to alert them to the latest situation. Schools should promptly make a report to the CHP in case of an increase in respiratory illnesses or absentees for immediate epidemiological investigations and outbreak control," the spokesman said.

SF is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus and mostly affects children.

It is transmitted through either respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions.

It usually starts with a fever and sore throat. Headache, vomiting and abdominal pain may also occur. The tongue may have a distinctive strawberry-like (red and bumpy) appearance.

A sandpaper texture-like rash would commonly begin on the first or second day of onset over the upper trunk and neck before spreading to the limbs. The rash is usually more prominent in armpits, elbows and groin areas. It usually subsides after one week and is followed by skin peeling over fingertips, toes and groin areas.

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